As the Global South advances its energy transition, the challenge is shifting from merely adding renewable energy capacity to ensuring that growth is inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. While large-scale RE projects remain vital, they are increasingly constrained by land availability, environmental trade-offs, and social challenges. Distributed renewable energy (DRE) models — leverage community lands, rooftops, water bodies, and underutilised spaces – offer a transformative complement.
Scaling DRE can unlock the next phase of RE growth by powering small industries, agriculture, and urban ecosystems, while enhancing grid reliability, supporting local economies, and strengthening climate resilience. This session aims to bring together thought leaders to discuss how distributed RE can be mainstreamed as a central pillar of national and regional energy strategies. It will explore enabling policies, financing innovations, and scalable deployment models that can accelerate equitable and resilient energy transitions across the Global South.